Roda Berporos #2 8E 2020

Introduction

This tutorial explores the concept of a wheel and axle system, known as "roda berporos," as demonstrated by students from SMP Negeri 245 Jakarta. Understanding this simple machine is essential for grasping basic mechanical principles and can aid in various practical tasks.

Step 1: Understanding Wheel and Axle Mechanics

• The wheel and axle system consists of two circular objects of different sizes that rotate together.
• The wheel is the larger part that moves, while the axle is the smaller rod that turns within the wheel.
• This system reduces the amount of force needed to move an object, making tasks easier.

Practical Advice

• To visualize this, consider a bicycle wheel. The pedals turn the axle, which rotates the larger wheel, propelling the bicycle forward.
• This principle is applied in many everyday devices, such as doorknobs, rolling carts, and vehicles.

Step 2: Building a Simple Wheel and Axle Model

• Gather the following materials:
  • Two circular objects (e.g., bottle caps or cardboard circles)
  • A sturdy rod or pencil (to serve as the axle)
  • A base (like a piece of cardboard) to mount your wheel and axle

Assembly Steps

1. Attach the Wheel:
   • Secure one circular object to the base using glue or tape.
2. Insert the Axle:
   • Push the rod through the center of the other circular object, ensuring it can rotate freely.
3. Mount the Axle:
   • Fix the axle to the base near the first circular object, allowing the wheel to spin around it.

Practical Advice

• Ensure that the axle can rotate without obstruction. This will maximize efficiency and demonstrate the effectiveness of the wheel and axle system.

Step 3: Experimenting with Forces and Motion

• Try pushing or pulling the wheel to see how the axle helps in reducing the effort needed.
• Use different weights on the wheel to observe how additional mass affects the system's performance.

Practical Tips

• Experiment with different sizes of wheels and axles to see how they influence movement and force requirements.
• Keep a record of your observations to analyze the effectiveness of your wheel and axle model.

Conclusion

The wheel and axle system is a fundamental principle of mechanics that simplifies movement and reduces the effort required to perform tasks. By understanding and building a simple model, you gain hands-on experience with this concept. Consider exploring more complex applications or experiments to deepen your knowledge of simple machines.